Classification of research design

by- Tushar Shukla

 Design

Fig. 3.1
Research Design

Exploratory Conclusive Research

Research Design Design

Descriptive Research Causal Research

Cross-Sectional Longitudinal Design

Design

Single Cross- Multiple Cross-

Sectional Design Sectional Design
Exploratory research
Usually conducted during the initial stage of the
research process
Purposes
To narrow the scope of the research topic, and
To transform ambiguous problems into well-defined
ones
Explanatory research is research conducted in order to
explain any behaviour in the market. It could be done
through using questionnaires, group discussions,
interviews, random sampling, etc.
 Diff between exploratory and conclusive
research

Research Project Components: Research Purpose

Exploratory Research
 General: To generate insights about a situation
Conclusive Research
 Specific: To verify insights and aid in selecting a course of action
Research Project Components: Data needs
Exploratory Research
 Vague
Conclusive Research
 Clear
Research Project Components: Data sources
Exploratory Research
 Ill-defined
Conclusive Research
 Well-defined
Research Project Components: Data collection form
Exploratory Research
 Open-ended, rough
Conclusive Research
 Usually structured
Research Project Components: Sample
Exploratory Research
 Relatively small; subjectively selected to maximize generalization
of useful insights
Conclusive Research
 Relatively large; objectively selected to permit generalization of
findings
Research Project Components: Data collection
Exploratory Research
 Flexible; no set procedure
Conclusive Research
 Rigid; well-laid-out procedure

Research Project Components: Data analysis

Exploratory Research
 Informal; typically non-quantitative
Conclusive Research
 Formal; typically quantitative
Research Project Components:
Inferences/recommendations
Exploratory Research
 More tentative than final
Conclusive Research
 More final than tentative